Learn how to grow fruit at home!

Have you always wanted to grow your own fruit at home, but weren’t sure where to start?

Start here, learn the basics of fruit growing and begin growing your own fruit at home!

You will learn how to:

• Grow fresh fruit, berries and nuts efficiently and economically.
• Choose the best fruits for your situation.
• Raise soil fertility.
• Control pests and diseases naturally without using dangerous chemicals.

Both cool and warm climate fruits are covered, and throughout the course you are given the option to focus your study on the types of fruits you are most interested in.

Lesson Structure

There are 6 lessons in this course:

• Introduction
• Soils, site preparation & planning.
• General Cultural Practices
• Tree Fruits
• Nuts and Vines
• Berries

Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school’s tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.

What You Will Do

• Select part of a home garden where the owner would like to grow fruit. Consider the good and bad points about the site and the suitability of different types of fruits to the situation.
• Take a sample of soil from an area you might consider growing fruit in. Using the method set out in the gardening manual provided with the course, name the soil.
• Look at the buds on the wood of three different species of fruit. Draw what you see, and label where you think the buds are fruit buds, and where you think they are vegetative buds.
• Observe the way in which fruit trees are trained or pruned in your locality.
• Visit a local hardware store, nursery or irrigation shop and look at drip and micro irrigation equipment which is for sale. Take note of the various components of these systems, how they fit together and how they work.
• Identify pests and diseases in a garden which you have visited.
• Select 4 different fruits from those you have read about which are grown in your area.
  • For each one, research which varieties of that fruit are commonly grown, and why they are grown.
• Plan the development of a berry growing area for a backyard. Contact companies, visit nurseries and check the availability, quality and prices of berry plants you would like to grow on your site (or proposed site). Work with an imaginary site if you do not have a real life situation to deal with.
• Contact Department of Agriculture to obtain relevant information (eg: leaflets, booklets, details about advisory services etc) which relates to fruit growing.

A Statement of Attainment in Home Fruit Growing is an excellent qualification for a variety of individuals and professionals. Here are some key groups who would benefit from this credential:

Home Gardeners

• Personal Enrichment: Enthusiasts and hobbyists can gain valuable knowledge and skills to cultivate their own fruit-bearing plants at home.
• Self-Sufficiency: Learn to grow your own fruit, enhancing your ability to produce fresh, organic produce for personal consumption.

Culinary Professionals

• Fresh Ingredients: Chefs and culinary experts can ensure a supply of fresh, home-grown fruits, adding unique flavors and ingredients to their culinary creations.
• Sustainable Practices: Embrace farm-to-table practices by growing your own fruit, ensuring quality and reducing reliance on external suppliers.

Health and Wellness Practitioners

• Nutritional Benefits: Nutritionists and health coaches can promote the benefits of fresh, home-grown fruits to clients, supporting healthier eating habits.
• Educational Tools: Use your expertise to teach clients about the benefits and methods of home fruit growing.

Educators and Students

• Curriculum Development: Teachers can incorporate practical knowledge about fruit growing into their curricula, providing hands-on learning opportunities.
• Academic Growth: Students studying horticulture, agriculture, or environmental science can benefit from focused knowledge on fruit cultivation.

Landscape Designers and Gardeners

• Design Diversity: Landscape designers can add value to their projects by incorporating fruit-bearing plants into their designs.
• Enhanced Services: Gardeners can expand their services to include the cultivation and maintenance of fruit plants.

Agricultural Professionals

• Crop Diversification: Farmers can explore the possibilities of growing various fruit plants as part of their crop diversification strategies.
• Sustainable Farming: Knowledge of fruit growing can contribute to more sustainable and profitable farming practices.

Community Gardeners

• Community Projects: Individuals involved in community gardening can use this knowledge to establish and manage community fruit gardens, promoting local food production and education.

Homeowners and Property Developers

• Property Value: Homeowners can enhance their property with attractive and productive fruit plants.
• Sustainable Living: Property developers can integrate fruit gardens into their projects, promoting sustainable and eco-friendly living environments.

A Statement of Attainment in Home Fruit Growing offers extensive benefits, equipping individuals with the skills and knowledge to successfully grow a variety of fruits, promoting sustainability, self-sufficiency, and enhanced well-being.